[2019]
[2019]
OUR FAMILY HOLIDAYS
0291 Holiday – Loire Valley Chateau
The Loire Valley is full of various chateaux, and these are truly beautiful and impressive. On this holiday we went to most of them, of course, but there are so many of them and so many different French names that, 20 years later, I get totally confused between them.
Chenenceaux, was probably my favourite. It wasn't that big but, with its marvellous ballroom over the river on a series of arches, it was quite beautiful. It was of course historical, not least in the last war where the river was the dividing line between Vichy and German occupied France: and the Chateau which used as an illicit route between the two.
Chambord was by far the largest, rather like a massively enlarged children's toy.
Though I can't now remember their names, the others certainly also made their mark. One was the original design for the fairy castle; and so it went on from Chateau to Chateau. It sounds boring, but each one had a distinct identity and was fascinating in itself; not least Villandry, with its spectacular gardens and decorative vegetables.
And Amboise, with its massive spiral staircase, from the valley below, through which the whole cavalry force could gallop up to the defence of the castle.
It was the last holiday of the family together. Even then Sarah yearned to be by herself, and we had to allow her that freedom for one-day in Tours. God knows what she got up to.
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